Socceroos reach 2026 FIFA World Cup with 2-1 come-from-behind win against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah

Well, what a performance from the Socceroos.

Saudi Arabia have not been the force they once were, certainly not at home in this phase of qualifying, but to go there and win is still a huge achievement.

We'll wrap things up for our live coverage there, but don't worry, there will be plenty of action to come over the next few months as the Socceroos build to the FIFA World Cup.

How exciting.

Thanks for being with me since the early hours and I'll see you again soon.

Tony Popovic is smiling. Why not?

"Very satisfying. I'm sure it will sink in as the days go by," he says.

"It's been a very intense period since I've joined

"We've done the first part, qualifying automatically, now the next part is to be bigger and better at the World Cup."

He hails the squad's character as they get into the World Cup having come from behind.

"I think that's been a characteristic since the first day I arrived," he says, referencing the come-back victory against China in his first match in charge.

"To do it here in this atmosphere, the weather, it's not easy.

"To show that character, resilience, to come back and win the game.

"We've built a good foundation now."

He says the job is not done.

"We want to really get better, kick on and try and do something special at the World Cup.

"It is special. It probably hasn't sunk in yet. It's not something you see happening when you're young. I'm very honoured to have the responsibility.

"It's exciting.

"We wanna be a squad that's much better than we are now and that's the expectation we should have."

Mat Ryan is speaking now.

"It would be nice if I could work out how to freeze time, the journey that we obviously went on to get here, I'm just so proud of everyone," he says.

"Everyone that's been part of the journey, thank you."

He says that his 100th cap was special, but every one is.

"Fairytales come true," he says.

"I stick to what I said pre-game, any cap number that it is is a special one.

"The nation deserves that whoever takes that opportunity that they give everything that they've got."

Connor Metcalf is almost lost for words.

"Amazing feeling. I couldn't believe it to be honest. A special night," he gets out.

"It's a huge feeling.

"It just goes to show that all the hard work has paid off, we've trusted our coach.

"This group is so special and so mentally tough, it's hard to beat us, even on their turf.

"It just goes to show we have a special group of boys."

A goal and an assist for Mitch Duke to earn him player of the match - although he says that Matt Ryan deserves it.

"It just feels unbelievable," Mitch Duke says on Paramount+.

"I wasn't even supposed to be here, Matt Leckie got injured."

He says that the mentality of the squad was clear.

"That's the mentality the boss has created within us, we didn't get phased by the one goal deficit and we bounced back, got the goal back," he says.

"It's a game of big moments and everybody stepped up."

Eight games.

Five wins and three draws.

That's some return for Tony Popovic has Socceroos coach.

And the whole team, the whole squad in truth.

It's been a brilliant performance from the Socceroos under pressure.

AND ARE GOING TO THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP!

What a superb achievement for the Socceroos.

After a dour start to this phase of qualifying that put the Socceroos right in the mire, Tony Popovic and has squad have pulled it out of the fire to qualify for the World Cup finals for the sixth-straight tournament.

And they've done it in style too, winning away from home in Jeddah.

Not a save per-se, more a solid gather as the Saudi attack looked to send a striker through on his goal.

Nevertheless, it's just another brick in this superb yellow wall that has done so well to remain largely intact.

Anthony Caceres comes on for the closing stages.

They've been reduced to half chances now, Saudi Arabia.

The ball squirts through this resolute Socceroos defence and Mat Ryan pounces upon it.

A long-range potshot from Abdulelah Al-Amri is dealt with comfortably by Mat Ryan.

Seven minutes at the end of the match to play as Saudi continue to press for a consolation score.

From thinking his career was over, certainly at Socceroos level, now he's captaining his side into the World Cup finals.

Amazing.

Salem Aldawsari steps up to take the penalty after a very long delay, made longer by Mat Ryan cleaning his boots on the post, using all 100 caps experience there.

BRILLIANT SAVE RYAN!

Diving stop to his left, gets his hand to the ball.

Saudi Arabia should score the follow up but they flash the shot across the face, a woeful miss all things considered.

The penalty save deserved that though, a brilliant stop.

Jason Geria has taken down Salem Aldawsari with his trailing leg after he runs into the penalty area and the referee points to the spot.

It looked like there was enough contact there for the penalty to be given despite the Socceroos' protests.

Did Geria win the ball first? He did, but then he continues with the challenge.

I don't think it will be overturned as VAR looks.

And it's not.

That would have been some goal.

The Socceroos defend their lines through sheer weight of numbers and then hammer the ball upfield to Touré who shows speed and strength to hold off the defender before playing in Tilio with the cutest of backheels, only for the defence to get back in time to intercept.

We're having a drinks break, as the fans in the stands bounce up and down, belying the sad faces we've seen in some of the close up shots from the TV director.

Hassan Altambakti has come on for Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile Ryan Teague and Marco Tilio are on for Australia.